Books with author Jr. Stahler

Everyone in Jacob's colony is born blind. It has always been this way. They embrace the philosophy of Truesight: Blindness brings unity, purity, and freedom. It is an exceptional community. Everyone is happy. As Jacob nears his thirteenth birthday, he anxiously anticipates his new role as an adult and all the changes that will bring. But as the day approaches, a far greater change threatens Jacob's future. It all starts with a searing pain in his eyes ... This is the first book of David Stahler Jr.'s gripping Truesight trilogy. Ages 12+

Jacob can see—and his vision brings him great power. But he still hasn't found what he's been looking for. . . Danger is closing in. The stars are calling. And young Jacob Manford is restless. He's tried settling into life as a Seer, but he hasn't forgotten the ghostly boy who told him about a new colony—a colony for those who were once blind but can now see. A place for people like Jacob.Soon Jacob buys passage on a cargo ship hurtling toward distant planets. But strange events along the way worry him. Is he moving toward a new life and a new sense of peace, or is he simply bringing trouble with him?In this thrilling conclusion to the Truesight Trilogy, new powers awaken within Jacob, while all of the forces that have threatened his past join together in an attempt to destroy his future.Critical Praise for Otherspace:“The climax of Jacob’s adventures will more than satisfy the readers who’ve reached this point in the trilogy.”—Kirkus“Stahler writes a thought provoking coming-of age story about a sequestered world that does not welcome those who are different, which is certainly a feeling to which Earth-bound teens can relate. . . . Stahler creates characters about whom readers care, holding them captive in the story weave until the end, when Jacob has done what the fates demand.”—VOYA“An explosive climax neatly wraps up all the plot threads and brings about a satisfying conclusion. This fast paced and exciting conclusion to the ‘True Sight Trilogy’ works well as a stand alone title, but be prepared for an increased interest in the previous books.”—Children’s Literature

No longer blind, Jacob does not belong in Harmony. Now he must live among the Seers...Jacob Manford had accepted his life in Harmony as a member of a blind community...until he began to see. When the truth about his world was revealed, he made a narrow escape into an uncertain future.Now, venturing across the lonely plains of his planet, his survival is at stake. With every Seer he encounters, Jacob is learning about a wider world, one governed by all-powerful corporations, populated by frenetic crowds, and navigated by flying machines. In this dazzling and unsettling new world, Jacob must learn that things are rarely as they appear upon first sight.Meanwhile, Jacob's sight is but the first of many strange and unexpected abilities--powers he has yet to develop that help him seen the truth before those he loves are lost forever.Soon Jacob is embroiled in a high-stakes mission. Will the dangers in the Seers' world lead him right back to the dangers he was trying to escape in Harmony?“Contemplative flashbacks intermingle with suspenseful sequences and an overall quick pacing to create a story successful in drawing in new readers and keeping returning fans intrigued. The nonstop action leaves eager readers waiting for the final installment.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books“Themes of trust, fitting in, dependency, and making choices will appeal to young readers.”—School Library Journal

On a distant frontier world where genetic engineering has taken a startling turn is a community called Harmony. Like everyone who lives there, Jacob is blind...Everyone in Jacob's colony is born blind. It has always been this way. They embrace the philosophy of Truesight: Blindness brings unity, purity, and freedom. It is an exceptional community. Everyone is happy.As Jacob nears his thirteenth birthday, he anxiously anticipates his new role as an adult and all the changes that will bring. But as the day approaches, a far greater change threatens Jacob's future. It all starts with a searing pain in his eyes ...This is the first book of David Stahler Jr.'s gripping Truesight trilogy. "Stahler's powerful debut novel is two parts science-fiction thriller and one part cautionary fable about the dangers of fundamentalism. ...Supple writing and unusual twists should keep readers firmly hooked." --Publishers Weekly

Doppelgangers are monsters, hardwired for murder.They are not supposed to have doubts, but this one does. He wishes he could be different. More human, maybe. But even that can't stop him from killing people so he can take their places and live their lives. He has to do it; it's who he is. But when the doppelganger murders a small-town teenager, assumes his shape, and takes over his life, he's shocked by the world he steps into. Engulfed in a whirlwind of peer pressure, messy family dynamics, and a provocative relationship with a beautiful girl, he quickly learns that there's more than one way to be human, and many ways to be a monster.Told in the tortured voice of a most extraordinary teen, this contemporary gothic romance brews a captivating combination of violence, desire, and atonement. Here is the story of a monster yearning for a human life.

Jacob can see—and his vision brings him great power. But he still hasn't found what he's been looking for. . . .Danger is closing in. The stars are calling. And young Jacob Manford is restless. He's tried settling into life as a Seer, but he hasn't forgotten the ghostly boy who told him about a new colony—a colony for those who were once blind but can now see. A place for people like Jacob.Soon Jacob buys passage on a cargo ship hurtling toward distant planets. But strange events along the way worry him. Is he moving toward a new life and a new sense of peace, or is he simply bringing trouble with him?

On a frontier world is a colony called Harmony.Like everyone who lives there, Jacob is blind.In his debut novel, David Stahler Jr. vividly imagines a future where genetic engineering has taken a startling turn. On a distant planet, in a utopian community of the blind, one remarkable young man will discover just how much there is to see -- if only he is willing to look.

High school senior Frenchy has little ambition beyond hanging out at the smoking rock until his best friend, the ever-witty and conniving Stewart, gets him to try out for Man of la Mancha. To everyone's surprise, the guys are a hit. But when Stewart's antics begin to grow more obsessive—he wears his costume 24/7, freaks out about little details, and displays an incessant hatred of the high-tech windmills outside of town—Frenchy worries that there's something deeper going on. Is Stewart spiraling into madness, just like Don Quixote? And can Frenchy battle through his own demons in time to save his friend from self-destruction before it's too late?

Doppelgangers are monsters, hardwired for murder. They are not supposed to have doubts, but this one does. He wishes he could be different. More human, maybe. But even that can't stop him from killing people so he can take their places and live their lives. He has to do it; it's who he is. But when the doppelganger murders a small-town teenager, assumes his shape, and takes over his life, he's shocked by the world he steps into. Engulfed in a whirlwind of peer pressure, messy family dynamics, and a provocative relationship with a beautiful girl, he quickly learns that there's more than one way to be human, and many ways to be a monster. Told in the tortured voice of a most extraordinary teen, this contemporary gothic romance brews a captivating combination of violence, desire, and atonement. Here is the story of a monster yearning for a human life.

Young Jacob Manford grew up in Harmony, a blind boy raised in a colony of citizens dedicated to blindness as a way of life. Stricken with sight at thirteen, he escapes to the futuristic city of Melville, only to discover he has traded one hostile community for another. Jacob's sight introduces him to a thrilling new world—vast landscapes, glittering skyscrapers, and flying machines—but he is unsure if he has finally found a place to belong. Will Jacob ever find what he is looking for?

Young Jacob Manford grew up in Harmony, a blind boy raised in a colony of citizens dedicated to blindness as a way of life. Stricken with sight at thirteen, he escapes to the futuristic city of Melville, only to discover he has traded one hostile community for another. Jacob's sight introduces him to a thrilling new world—vast landscapes, glittering skyscrapers, and flying machines—but he is unsure if he has finally found a place to belong. Will Jacob ever find what he is looking for?

(Help find a cure for SMA! A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to Families of SMA, a nonprofit organization that funds research to find a cure for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. SMA is a degenerative motor neuron disease that affects approximately 1 out of every 6000 babies born. Find out more at fsma.org. Thank you!)Be careful what you wish for…When young Thurston Pickering opens a mysterious jar he’s found in the attic of his old house, he gets more than he bargained for. Soon, a green-skinned genie named Malthasar appears, charming the thirteen fireflies Thurston has collected in the jar. Each one offers a wish, a chance to fix every problem in Thurston’s life, with extra to spare.Good thing. For a twelve-year-old, Thurston has more than his fair share of trouble. No one at school seems to notice him—except for Jason Bean and his pack of bullies. His parents are so busy fighting with each other, they forgot his last birthday. Worst of all, his beloved dog Mollet has recently died, leaving him feeling more alone than ever.But with each wish, Thurston’s life takes a darker and stranger twist, and what at first seems like helpful advice from Malthasar turns out to be something quite different. Can Thurston discover the genie’s true designs—and a way to stop them—before it’s too late?Written for the ten-year-old in all of us, I Wish I May combines twisted humor with modern fantasy to create a satire that speaks to how we approach life’s hardships. From the author of TRUESIGHT and DOPPELGANGER comes this cautionary fable that takes the conventions of comic books and cartoons and examines them in a real-world setting, presenting the reader with a tightly woven narrative that is at turns darkly funny and tartly sweet.“Middle graders will cheer Thurston onward in this quick-moving fantasy adventure that speaks to the question boys ask themselves so often: ‘I wonder what would happen if I just…?’ A warm welcome to this new would-be hero and his un-put-down-able story with its deliciously old-fashioned and unexpected ending.” — Beth Kanell, author of The Darkness Under the Water and The Secret Room